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Cycling Australia

October 17, 2012

Cycling Australia sent out a long message today, with lots of interesting bits, a bit of whitewash, etc. But all in all, more frank than any other federation to date, even though the buck stops a millimeter short of their own toes.

End result, Matt White is terminated. They state they asked several organizations about White’s past, but it doesn’t state if they asked White himself.

But the biggest breakthrough may be a shot sentence near the end:

We acknowledge that there is now clear evidence that the UCI, until recent times, failed to fully and properly do its part to stamp out doping.

One thing missing is what Cycling Australia thinks the conclusion should be after having realized this. Failure to properly do your part, does that mean the positions of people at the UCI is untenable?

Yes, I thought that last paragraph was interesting as well. It seems, as it bloody well should, to be a veiled threat to the UCI….I wish they had of used stronger language to make the point. Fat Pat doesn’t seem to get subtlety.

Klaus Meikle got up on ABC TV and spoke thus “we did not ask” Matt White if he ever doped.
So CA held an inquiry into the case of Trent Lowe who, as you may recall, was referred to now disgraced Dr. del Moral AND failed to ask any questions?
I suggest that CA knew the answer to such questions and so did not wish to expose White.
There has been a cover up by Cycling Australia which needs to be investigated by the very authority they signed an MOU with.

And the government oversight group in on their tails. It will come out. And UCI, may be in for new leadership. Accepting 100000 at the triangle of the meeting and the Swiss lab getting equipment and team mates all hearing LA say he had UCI in his pocket and could make it go away. I big triangle. Was it only Lance boasting or did he make it go away. Accepting money while a rider is under suspicion of a positive test and giving equipment to lab at that time?????????

In his resignation letter addressed to the Board and members Mr Hodge has revealed that during a stage of his career as a professional cyclist he took performance-enhancing drugs.

“In light of the current circumstances Stephen has made it clear he doesn’t want a mistake he made two decades ago to affect the work of Cycling Australia to take the sport forward,” said Cycling Australia President, Klaus Mueller.

Mr Hodge turned professional in 1987 and raced in the European peloton up until his retirement at the end of 1996. He began his tenure on the board as the Chair of the Athlete’s Commission in June 1999. At the 2007 Annual General Meeting Mr Hodge was elected Vice President of the Board, a position he has held since that time.

“I would like to personally thank Stephen for his immense contribution to the sport in a volunteer capacity,” said Mr Mueller. “When his professional cycling career ended he became a tireless worker for the sport and for almost 15 years has freely given up his time as an advocate for the rights of athletes and to promote and develop the sport in Australia.”

“At all times while Stephen was on the Board with me he acted with high principle and great integrity and has been a staunch opponent of doping.

“I commend him for his decision to speak out,” said Mr. Mueller.

The content of Mr Hodge’s letter, received today by Cycling Australia, is printed below:

Prior to the CA Board meeting on the 16 October 2012 I advised Graham Fredericks and Klaus Mueller that during a stage of my career as a professional cyclist I took performance enhancing drugs—a decision I am not proud of.

I am sorry I did it. It was wrong. I apologise unreservedly to CA, my family, friends, colleagues and cycling fans.

When I made Graham and Klaus aware of my situation I offered to resign. It was agreed that I would immediately stand aside from all CA Board duties in advance of submitting a formal resignation. At no point have I been involved in any CA Board meetings or discussions in relation to the termination of Matt White’s contract.

During my time on the CA Board, I have shared CA’s strong commitment to the fight against doping. I believe other cyclists should never have to face the same pressures I did during my professional career.

I would also like to believe that in my 13 years as a director of CA I have been able to make a valuable contribution in this regard, as well as helping to encourage the growth and strength of cycling as a sport in Australia.

I am proud to have been associated with this work and believe cycling has come a long way—and in fact has led the way in many instances.

It goes without saying that these are challenging times for cycling. But I feel more hopeful than ever for the future of a sport I love

It has been a privilege to serve on the Board and I am grateful for the time and opportunity of working with you all. I wish CA every success.